The Saints pair are expected to be the next players to join the Southampton exodus, following on from the departures of Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Ricky Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Luke Shaw.

But Krueger has moved to put an end to speculation linking the club's prized duo with a move to White Hart Lane: “Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin are not for sale, and they will be a part of our club as we enter the new season," he told the club's website.

“They are part of the core that we have decided to keep at Southampton. In and around Jay, Morgan and the rest of our core players, we’re excited to continue to build forward.”

French international Schneiderlin last night made his discontent clear, tweeting a strongly-worded message aimed at the club.

England international Rodriguez has not played since damaging his cruciate ligaments against title-winners Manchester City in April - an injury which robbed the forward of a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup.

Despite evidence which could be deemed to the contrary, Krueger says the Saints have had a strategy this summer: “Quite clearly, we entered the transfer window with a plan,” he said.

“We have a clear strategic approach to this summer, and we did not put any players for sale. What we did say was that we would watch the process, we would listen and we would look for how the team would evolve out of our rebuild."